Wetzel's Pretzels Honored by Nation's Restaurant News as One of the "Next 20"

Leading Industry Publication Recognizes Company's Growth

PASADENA, CA--(Marketwired - Aug 9, 2016) - Wetzel's Pretzels, the innovator in the fresh-baked pretzel category, today announced it has been honored as one of the "Next 20" by Nation's Restaurant News. The Next 20 features growing concepts, taking into account estimated sales per unit, the previous two fiscal year's sales and other metrics. Figures are compiled using corporate documents as well as information from NRN's news coverage, industry analysts and more. Previous honorees of NRN's Next 20 include Shake Shack and Le Pain Quotidien.

Milestones which attributed to Wetzel's being named one of the Next 20 include eight straight quarters of same-store sales growth, continued non-traditional unit growth, such as stadiums and transit stations, and the company's national footprint expansion, now having locations in 28 states.

2016 has been packed with Wetzel's Pretzel's milestones as well, including the opening of flagship locations Minnesota's Mall of America and Manhattan's Fulton Center, as well as year-to-date same-store-sales increases of 6.2%.

"We're thrilled to have made this list, which speaks to Wetzel's same-store-sales growth and unit count," said Bill Phelps, Wetzel's Pretzel's co-founder and CEO. "Most importantly, it validates our focus on franchise profitability, which continues to be our top priority."

Armed with a vision and a tasty recipe for soft pretzel perfection, Bill Phelps and Rick Wetzel opened the first Wetzel's Pretzels bakery in Redondo Beach, Calif., in 1994. Long lines of hungry customers soon formed, attracted by mouth-watering soft pretzels that were hand-rolled, baked fresh and served hot from the oven. As word spread about these golden-on-the-outside pretzels, the company added additional offerings to its menu. Today, Wetzel's Pretzels has grown to more than 300 fresh bakeries across the United States and around the world, including premier locations at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. Every Wetzel's Pretzels bakery adheres to the original vision of its founders; that each super-premium pretzel will be crafted from fresh dough and baked in-store consistently throughout the day, to ensure a delicious offering for each consumer, regardless of when the craving for a pretzel strikes. For additional information on Wetzel's Pretzels or franchise opportunities, please visit the website, call (626) 432-6900, "Like" them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter and Instagram.